On June 15, 2026, Catholic Charities of New York’s CEO and President J. Antonio Fernández was a featured guest on Pix11’s Monica Makes It Happen, hosted by the Emmy-winning investigative reporter Monica Morales.
Their conversation was an exploration of Fernández’s work since assuming the role in September 2025, the faith and philosophy that guides his work, and his priorities moving forward.
Fernández, the first lay leader of Catholic Charities of New York, formerly held the role at Catholic Charities of Chicago and Catholic Charities of San Antonio. “To some degree, I bring the professionalism that we need to ensure that hundreds of thousands of people are being fed, clothed, and provided services in an efficient way by Catholic Charities,” he told Morales.
“I love doing this because it’s not just a job. It’s a ministry,” he added.
Throughout the discussion, Fernández clarified that Catholic Charities of New York’s role is not only to directly meet the needs of New York’s most vulnerable, but to offer these neighbors lasting hope and a path to a better future.
He brought up the organization’s relief efforts for families affected by the recent fires in the Bronx that caused deaths and the mass displacement of residents. “Catholic Charities was there within hours. Not just to provide for a place to sleep, clothes or food, but for hope,” said Fernández.
“I spoke with a number of people who did not have insurance because they couldn’t afford it. That means everything they had was lost,” he explained, “What Catholic Charities does is provide that hope, that love, that respect that, even at the lowest point in life, you deserve to have.”
Morales, herself a first-generation American who grew up in Chicago in a family that faced housing insecurity and employment struggles, expressed her gratitude for Catholic Charities of New York’s work to keep people, many of them formerly unhoused, in their homes.
“I am here to feed people and help people, but they also have to be able to help themselves,” responded Fernández. He described the social services provided at the organization’s housing sites to ensure that residents have counseling and logistical support to address employment, mental health, and financial challenges so that they can lead more independent lives.
“We have a division called Catholic Homes — not Catholic Housing. We need to follow through with wraparound services,” he told Morales.
Another topic of discussion was Fernández’s close working relationship with His Excellency Ronald A. Hicks, the Archbishop of New York installed this past February.
“The Archbhishop is a wonderful man of God. He’s the Archbishop, but he’s first a priest,” said Fernández, “He spent 5 years of his life working with children in Central America because he understands that we need to protect and provide for the youth in the years to come. I understand his vision for providing for every single person in New York. And he actually means that.”
Watch the whole Pix11 segment here.
Monica Morales will be hosting the 17th Annual Catholic Charities Gala tonight, where funds will be raised to support the organization’s mission to Provide Help and Create Hope.
